Kelly, West & Murphy, P.A.

Kelly, West & Murphy, P.A. Since 1982, the firm has handled over 20,000 cases for clients for personal injury, real estate, business, estate, wills, trust, and medicaid practice areas.

Since 1982, the firm has handled over 20,000 cases for clients. We put our knowledge and experience to work for you - providing advice you can count on from attorneys you can trust. Understanding the law, hard work, and years of experience can certainly make a difference in the outcome of a case. Call Kelly & West to arrange a free consultation with an experienced attorney. Our goal is aimed at he

lping you. If we cannot help you, we will try to find someone who can. We would like for you to think of us as your personal attorneys.

Memory loss often begins with small changes that families explain away until one day the questions become harder and the...
06/05/2026

Memory loss often begins with small changes that families explain away until one day the questions become harder and the decisions more urgent. During Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, it is an important reminder that cognitive decline can affect much more than health. It can impact who has legal authority to help manage finances, make medical decisions, or carry out a loved one’s wishes.

Many families wait until a crisis forces action, only to learn important planning options may be limited once capacity is compromised. Powers of attorney, advance directives, and thoughtful estate planning can provide clarity before uncertainty grows. These are not simply legal documents. They are protections built around dignity, choice, and family support.

If you have noticed changes in a loved one or have concerns for your own future, now is the time to begin the conversation. Early planning creates room for peace later.

There are conversations many families mean to have someday, but someday has a way of arriving without warning. Estate pl...
06/04/2026

There are conversations many families mean to have someday, but someday has a way of arriving without warning. Estate planning is often less about documents and more about lifting burdens before loved ones are asked to carry them during some of life's most difficult seasons.

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, a time when many families reflect on the reality of watching someone they love slowly change. Few experiences are more heartbreaking than seeing a parent, spouse, or loved one begin to lose pieces of the person you have always known. The memories, stories, and conversations that once felt certain can become harder to hold onto.

For many families, that experience also raises an important question: If this happened to me, would my loved ones know what to do?

Thoughtful planning can provide direction for care, protect assets, and help ensure your wishes are known if illness or incapacity enters the picture. It is one way to continue caring for the people you love, even if there comes a day when you cannot speak for yourself.

Planning is not preparing for the worst. It is protecting the people you love from unnecessary uncertainty while preserving your voice, your wishes, and your legacy.

One of the most overlooked parts of planning is not the financial side; it is the emotional weight left behind for the p...
05/29/2026

One of the most overlooked parts of planning is not the financial side; it is the emotional weight left behind for the people you care about.

When everything is unclear, families are left trying to make decisions during one of the hardest moments of their lives. That pressure can create stress, confusion, and even conflict when everyone is simply trying to do the right thing.

⚖️ A trust provides clear direction, so decisions are not left to guesswork
⚖️ It reduces the need for court involvement and adds delays
⚖️ It helps avoid disagreements by outlining your intentions in advance
⚖️ It allows a trusted person to manage responsibilities with guidance
⚖️ It gives your family space to focus on each other instead of logistics

The goal is not just to pass on assets, but to make the path easier for the people who will carry things forward.

Planning ahead can bring a sense of calm to a time that would otherwise feel overwhelming.

One of the biggest misconceptions about trusts is that they are reserved for people with vast wealth. In practice, many ...
05/27/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions about trusts is that they are reserved for people with vast wealth. In practice, many families benefit from a trust not because of the size of an estate, but because of the questions they want answered in advance.

Who manages things if you become incapacitated. How and when children receive an inheritance. What happens to a home, a family property, or investment accounts. These are often trust questions long before they are wealth questions.

A trust can help organize how assets are managed during your lifetime and how they transfer later. It can provide instructions, appoint someone you trust to carry them out, and in many cases help avoid delays and court involvement.

For some families, the value is not in protecting millions. It is in protecting order, privacy, and peace of mind.

At its core, a trust is often less about how much you have and more about how intentionally you want it handled.

For parents, one of the hardest questions to think about is what happens to your children if you are no longer here to g...
05/25/2026

For parents, one of the hardest questions to think about is what happens to your children if you are no longer here to guide them.

It is not just about who would care for them day to day. It is also about how their future is supported in a way that reflects your values and protects their long-term well-being.

⚖️ A trust can provide structured financial support over time
⚖️ It helps avoid a full inheritance being received at age eighteen
⚖️ Funds can be used for education, health, and life needs as they grow
⚖️ A trusted person can manage decisions with guidance you have outlined
⚖️ It creates stability during a time that would otherwise feel uncertain

Many parents assume a simple plan is enough, but without structure, young adults may receive more than they are prepared to manage.

Planning ahead allows you to stay part of those decisions, even when you are not physically present.

Blended families bring together relationships, responsibilities, and intentions that deserve thoughtful planning.In seco...
05/21/2026

Blended families bring together relationships, responsibilities, and intentions that deserve thoughtful planning.

In second marriages, it is common to want to provide for a current spouse while also protecting what is meant for children from a previous relationship. Without a clear structure, those intentions can become unclear over time, especially when decisions fall to others to interpret.

This is where many families begin to see tension. One side may feel uncertain about what was promised, while the other is left trying to make decisions without guidance. It is not about lack of trust; it is about lack of clarity.

A trust allows you to define how and when assets are distributed, creating a balance between supporting a spouse and preserving an inheritance for children. It brings structure to complex family dynamics so your wishes are carried out as intended.

Click here to learn more about how trust can help you: https://kellywest.com/service/trusts/


Owning property in more than one state can feel like a smart long-term investment, especially for families connected to ...
05/19/2026

Owning property in more than one state can feel like a smart long-term investment, especially for families connected to Fort Bragg who move during PCS season and choose to keep a home as a rental.

Over time, those decisions can create a layered portfolio that spans state lines. What many do not realize is that each property may be subject to its own probate process. That means multiple courts, added time, and increased administrative work for the people handling everything.

⚖️ Each state can require a separate probate proceeding
⚖️ Timelines and rules may differ from one state to another
⚖️ Managing multiple properties adds coordination and stress
⚖️ Costs can increase with each additional process
⚖️ Delays can impact how quickly assets are transferred

This is where planning becomes especially important. A trust can bring everything under one structure, helping simplify how property is managed and passed on, no matter where it is located.

Probate is one of those words most people recognize, but it rarely becomes clear until a family is in the middle of it.I...
05/15/2026

Probate is one of those words most people recognize, but it rarely becomes clear until a family is in the middle of it.

It is the court process that follows a loss. Assets are identified, debts are handled, and everything is distributed under court supervision. It can take time, require ongoing coordination, and in many cases, parts of the process become public.

What often catches families off guard is not just the timeline, but the added pressure during an already difficult season. Decisions have to be made, paperwork continues, and things do not always move as quickly as expected. Even close knit families can feel the strain when uncertainty enters the process.

That is often where planning changes everything.

There are ways to create a smoother path. A trust can allow assets to pass outside of court, offering more privacy, reducing delays, and helping loved ones avoid unnecessary complications at an already emotional time.

With Kelly, West, & Murphy, these conversations are not about expecting the worst. They are about helping families prepare wisely, protect what they have built, and create clarity for the people they love most. Often peace of mind begins long before a document is signed. It begins with a plan.

There is rarely one dramatic moment when someone realizes it is time to speak with an attorney. More often, it begins as...
05/13/2026

There is rarely one dramatic moment when someone realizes it is time to speak with an attorney. More often, it begins as a quiet recognition that life has grown more layered.

A growing family. A home that has become part of your legacy. A business you have worked hard to build. Aging parents whose future may soon involve difficult decisions. These are not warning signs. There are often signs that your planning should be keeping pace with your life.

Many people assume estate planning is something to revisit later. Later, after the children are older. Later, after retirement. Later, when life slows down. But gaps in planning often appear during seasons when life has been moving forward all along.
Good planning is not driven by fear. It is an act of stewardship. It brings clarity, protects the people you love, and helps ensure your intentions are honored.

Sometimes the right time to start is simply when you have begun asking the question.

Schedule a consultation with Elizabeth at Kelly, West, & Murphy for guidance tailored to your situation.

There is a quiet strength in the woman who gives without asking to be seen.She is the one who holds everything together ...
05/10/2026

There is a quiet strength in the woman who gives without asking to be seen.

She is the one who holds everything together when life feels uncertain. The one who shows up, not just in the big moments, but in the everyday ones that shape a family. Her love is steady, her presence is constant, and her sacrifices often go unspoken.
She teaches by example, leads with compassion, and creates a sense of home that cannot be replaced. The impact she makes is lasting, woven into the lives she has nurtured and guided with care.

Today is a moment to recognize her, to thank her, and to honor the depth of what she has given.

Happy Mother’s Day to the women who have given so much and continue to give with grace.

Address

900 S Main Street
Lillington, NC
27546

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+19108938183

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Kelly, West & Murphy, P.A. posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Kelly, West & Murphy, P.A.:

Shortcuts

Share

Category